Missed the MEXT deadline? Don't worry. There are hundreds of private scholarships available for international students in Japan.

Everyone knows the MEXT scholarship, but it is extremely competitive. Luckily, there are many private scholarships to study in Japan that go unclaimed every year.

1. JASSO Honors Scholarship

• Amount: 48,000 JPY / month.
• Who: Students with good grades (GPA 2.3/3.0) already accepted into a Japanese university or language school.
• How to apply: Your school applies for you.

2. Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship

• Amount: 100,000 - 140,000 JPY / month.
• Who: Undergrads and Grads.
• Requirement: You must speak some Japanese (N3/N4) and attend Rotary Club meetings once a month.

3. Local Government Scholarships

Many prefectures want to attract students.

• Fukuoka City Scholarship: For students in Fukuoka.
• JeES Scholarships: Various small scholarships (30,000 - 50,000 JPY).

👉 MEXT Guide: Study in Japan Scholarship Application: MEXT and JASSO Guide

4. University Tuition Reduction

• The Secret: Almost ALL private universities offer a 30% - 50% tuition reduction for international students.
• Condition: You just need to apply and not fail your classes. This is often automatic.

Tips

• Check the Bulletin Board: Once you are in school, check the physical bulletin board every week. That is where the niche scholarships are posted.
• Apply for Everything: Even small amounts (10,000 JPY) add up.